Notes for a todos/tasks

Notes for a todos/tasks

[Keith Lancaster]

(Newbie question again)

I frequently have TODOs that span some amount of time while in the  
STARTED state. A simple example would be a phone call, where I try a  
few times to reach the person before being successful (I may change to  
the WAITING state for this...). When I do reach them, I want to take  
notes on the conversation. There are so many different ways of  
approaching this in org-mode that I'm a bit overwhelmed. What I've  
been doing thus far is just entering the information in bullets below  
the TODO, ie

- tried to call, left message
- they called, and I missed the call
- success - <notes on call>

Usually, I add a time-stamp. I have to think that there is a better  
way. What's the best way to handle this?

Thanks,
Keith Lancaster
klancaster1957@mac.com

Re: Notes for a todos/tasks

[Matthew Lundin]

Hi Keith,

Keith Lancaster <klancaster1957@mac.com> writes:

> (Newbie question again)
>
> I frequently have TODOs that span some amount of time while in the
> STARTED state. A simple example would be a phone call, where I try a
> few times to reach the person before being successful (I may change to
> the WAITING state for this...). When I do reach them, I want to take
> notes on the conversation. There are so many different ways of
> approaching this in org-mode that I'm a bit overwhelmed. What I've
> been doing thus far is just entering the information in bullets below
> the TODO, ie
>
> - tried to call, left message
> - they called, and I missed the call
> - success - <notes on call>
>
> Usually, I add a time-stamp. I have to think that there is a better
> way. What's the best way to handle this?

The easiest and most convenient way to do this, in my opinion, is to use
org-add-note. The keybindings are:

  - z :: in the agenda

  - C-c C-z :: in org-files

Using this command on a heading will open up a new, temporary buffer.
You can type your note and then hit C-c C-c. It will be saved beneath
the headline along with a time-stamp.

Hope this helps,

Matt

Re: Re: Notes for a todos/tasks

[Samuel Wales]

For a look at some of the issues related to notes, contacts,
conversations, etc., search for "conversation manager" and my name.

On Thu, May 28, 2009 at 11:46, Matthew Lundin <mdl@imapmail.org> wrote:
> Hi Keith,
>
> Keith Lancaster <klancaster1957@mac.com> writes:
>
>> (Newbie question again)
>>
>> I frequently have TODOs that span some amount of time while in the
>> STARTED state. A simple example would be a phone call, where I try a
>> few times to reach the person before being successful (I may change to
>> the WAITING state for this...). When I do reach them, I want to take
>> notes on the conversation. There are so many different ways of
>> approaching this in org-mode that I'm a bit overwhelmed. What I've
>> been doing thus far is just entering the information in bullets below
>> the TODO, ie
>>
>> - tried to call, left message
>> - they called, and I missed the call
>> - success - <notes on call>
>>
>> Usually, I add a time-stamp. I have to think that there is a better
>> way. What's the best way to handle this?
>
> The easiest and most convenient way to do this, in my opinion, is to use
> org-add-note. The keybindings are:
>
>  - z :: in the agenda
>
>  - C-c C-z :: in org-files
>
> Using this command on a heading will open up a new, temporary buffer.
> You can type your note and then hit C-c C-c. It will be saved beneath
> the headline along with a time-stamp.
>
> Hope this helps,
>
> Matt
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Emacs-orgmode mailing list
> Remember: use `Reply All' to send replies to the list.
> Emacs-orgmode@gnu.org
> http://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/emacs-orgmode
>



-- 
Myalgic encephalomyelitis denialism is causing death and severe suffering
worse than MS.  Conflicts of interest are destroying research.  /You/ can
get the disease at any time permanently.  Do science and justice matter to
you?  Posters: http://www.mefreeforall.org/fileadmin/PDFs/ME_Awareness_Posters_2009.pdf
Overview: http://www.meactionuk.org.uk/What_Is_ME_What_Is_CFS.htm

Re: Re: Notes for a todos/tasks

[Keith Lancaster]

Thank you both for the quick responses. I'll look into both options.

I'm certain people say this a great deal, but the depth/breadth of org- 
mode is just astounding.

Keith

On May 28, 2009, at 1:59 PM, Samuel Wales wrote:

> For a look at some of the issues related to notes, contacts,
> conversations, etc., search for "conversation manager" and my name.
>
> On Thu, May 28, 2009 at 11:46, Matthew Lundin <mdl@imapmail.org>  
> wrote:
>> Hi Keith,
>>
>> Keith Lancaster <klancaster1957@mac.com> writes:
>>
>>> (Newbie question again)
>>>
>>> I frequently have TODOs that span some amount of time while in the
>>> STARTED state. A simple example would be a phone call, where I try a
>>> few times to reach the person before being successful (I may  
>>> change to
>>> the WAITING state for this...). When I do reach them, I want to take
>>> notes on the conversation. There are so many different ways of
>>> approaching this in org-mode that I'm a bit overwhelmed. What I've
>>> been doing thus far is just entering the information in bullets  
>>> below
>>> the TODO, ie
>>>
>>> - tried to call, left message
>>> - they called, and I missed the call
>>> - success - <notes on call>
>>>
>>> Usually, I add a time-stamp. I have to think that there is a better
>>> way. What's the best way to handle this?
>>
>> The easiest and most convenient way to do this, in my opinion, is  
>> to use
>> org-add-note. The keybindings are:
>>
>>  - z :: in the agenda
>>
>>  - C-c C-z :: in org-files
>>
>> Using this command on a heading will open up a new, temporary buffer.
>> You can type your note and then hit C-c C-c. It will be saved beneath
>> the headline along with a time-stamp.
>>
>> Hope this helps,
>>
>> Matt
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Emacs-orgmode mailing list
>> Remember: use `Reply All' to send replies to the list.
>> Emacs-orgmode@gnu.org
>> http://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/emacs-orgmode
>>
>
>
>
> -- 
> Myalgic encephalomyelitis denialism is causing death and severe  
> suffering
> worse than MS.  Conflicts of interest are destroying research.  / 
> You/ can
> get the disease at any time permanently.  Do science and justice  
> matter to
> you?  Posters: http://www.mefreeforall.org/fileadmin/PDFs/ME_Awareness_Posters_2009.pdf
> Overview: http://www.meactionuk.org.uk/What_Is_ME_What_Is_CFS.htm

Keith Lancaster
klancaster1957@mac.com

Re: Notes for a todos/tasks

[Bernt Hansen]

You could also create a remember task/note with the details and then
file it under your current clocking task (You are clocking your phone
calls right?  ;) )

If you start the clock on the phone call task then you can use C-M-r to
start remember, pick your template (I have one for phone calls that
inserts details of who it is based on bbdb information) then you can
file it as a subtask of the currently clocked item with C-2 C-c C-c.

So many options... so little time :)

Pick whatever fits your work-flow the best -- or come up with something
new!

-Bernt


Samuel Wales <samologist@gmail.com> writes:

> For a look at some of the issues related to notes, contacts,
> conversations, etc., search for "conversation manager" and my name.
>
> On Thu, May 28, 2009 at 11:46, Matthew Lundin <mdl@imapmail.org> wrote:
>> Hi Keith,
>>
>> Keith Lancaster <klancaster1957@mac.com> writes:
>>
>>> (Newbie question again)
>>>
>>> I frequently have TODOs that span some amount of time while in the
>>> STARTED state. A simple example would be a phone call, where I try a
>>> few times to reach the person before being successful (I may change to
>>> the WAITING state for this...). When I do reach them, I want to take
>>> notes on the conversation. There are so many different ways of
>>> approaching this in org-mode that I'm a bit overwhelmed. What I've
>>> been doing thus far is just entering the information in bullets below
>>> the TODO, ie
>>>
>>> - tried to call, left message
>>> - they called, and I missed the call
>>> - success - <notes on call>
>>>
>>> Usually, I add a time-stamp. I have to think that there is a better
>>> way. What's the best way to handle this?
>>
>> The easiest and most convenient way to do this, in my opinion, is to use
>> org-add-note. The keybindings are:
>>
>>  - z :: in the agenda
>>
>>  - C-c C-z :: in org-files
>>
>> Using this command on a heading will open up a new, temporary buffer.
>> You can type your note and then hit C-c C-c. It will be saved beneath
>> the headline along with a time-stamp.
>>
>> Hope this helps,
>>
>> Matt
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Emacs-orgmode mailing list
>> Remember: use `Reply All' to send replies to the list.
>> Emacs-orgmode@gnu.org
>> http://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/emacs-orgmode
>>
>
>
>
> -- 
> Myalgic encephalomyelitis denialism is causing death and severe suffering
> worse than MS.  Conflicts of interest are destroying research.  /You/ can
> get the disease at any time permanently.  Do science and justice matter to
> you?  Posters: http://www.mefreeforall.org/fileadmin/PDFs/ME_Awareness_Posters_2009.pdf
> Overview: http://www.meactionuk.org.uk/What_Is_ME_What_Is_CFS.htm
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Emacs-orgmode mailing list
> Remember: use `Reply All' to send replies to the list.
> Emacs-orgmode@gnu.org
> http://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/emacs-orgmode

Re: Notes for a todos/tasks

[Dmitri Minaev]

On Thu, May 28, 2009 at 11:27 PM, Keith Lancaster
<klancaster1957@mac.com> wrote:

> Usually, I add a time-stamp. I have to think that there is a better way.
> What's the best way to handle this?

I use todo state logging, so to add a comment I simply change the
state of the todo item from TODO to TODO again (C-1 C-c C-t, or S-left
S-right). It brings up the 'remember' buffer and the result is like
this (from my calls.org):

** TODO tech support: phone number xxxxxxxxx
   - State "TODO"       from "TODO"       [2009-05-27 Wed 13:51] \\
     reported problems w phone number xxxxxxx
   - State "TODO"       from "TODO"       [2009-05-21 Thu 17:29] \\
     reported number xxxxxxxx
     Dmitri. ticket number 2426 (repeated)
   - State "TODO"       from "TODO"       [2009-05-18 Mon 14:37] \\
     asked to check fax in 10 min
   - State "TODO"       from "TODO"       [2009-05-18 Mon 12:23] \\
     reported problems w phone number xxxxxxx
     will call back till 1400
   - State "TODO"       from "TODO"       [2009-05-13 Wed 14:07] \\
     reported on continuing problems
   - State "TODO"       [2009-05-06 Wed 12:40] \\
     fax problems.

-- 
With best regards,
Dmitri Minaev

Russian history blog: http://minaev.blogspot.com

Re: Notes for a todos/tasks

[Bernt Hansen]

Dmitri Minaev <minaev@gmail.com> writes:

> On Thu, May 28, 2009 at 11:27 PM, Keith Lancaster
> <klancaster1957@mac.com> wrote:
>
>> Usually, I add a time-stamp. I have to think that there is a better way.
>> What's the best way to handle this?
>
> I use todo state logging, so to add a comment I simply change the
> state of the todo item from TODO to TODO again (C-1 C-c C-t, or S-left
> S-right). It brings up the 'remember' buffer and the result is like
> this (from my calls.org):

You can just add a note with C-c C-z (or just z in the agenda) without
requiring a state change.

-Bernt